Adjustable device and an adjustable storage box

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides an adjustable device including plates and at least two adjustable modules connect with two adjacent of the plates. The adjustable module can stretch or shrink to change a distance between plates. The disclosure also provides an adjustable storage box including an upper cover and a lower cover. A storage space is formed by the upper cover and the lower cover and for the accommodating of the adjustable device. When the upper cover moves upward relative to the lower cover, the adjustable modules changes from a compression state to a stretch state and increase a distance between plates. Whereby, it is easy to pick and place object when a distance of two adjacent plates increases. The overall volume of the adjustable device is reduced when a distance of two adjacent plates decrease, thereby saving the working space.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 17/398,685, filed Aug. 10, 2021, entitled“Adjustable device and an adjustable storage box”, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to an adjustable device and an adjustable storagebox for accommodating the adjustable device.

BACKGROUND

The storage and transfer of a wafer in semiconductor industry is veryimportant. Because a wafer is formed by fragile material like silicon orglass, it is easy to cause damage due to improper transfer method orhandling tool, then resulting in a significant increase of cost andtime. In convention, for the purpose of transporting a number of wafersat one time and saving storage space, it's usually achieved in astacking manner. However, the stored wafers are at a fixed distance sothat a size of occupation of wafer storage box is large.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an adjustable device. Theadjustable device can accommodate many objects and can shrink to reducea size of occupation. The present disclosure also provides an adjustablestorage box for accommodating the adjustable device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. Thepresent disclosure provides an adjustable device including plates whichare arranged vertically. At least two adjustable modules connect withtwo adjacent of the plates. The at least two adjustable modules stretchto adjust distance between the two adjacent of the plates.

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementionedproblems. The present disclosure provides an adjustable storage box foraccommodating the adjustable device. The adjustable storage box includesan upper cover, a handle arranged on the upper cover, and a lower coverdisposed under the upper cover. A storage space is formed by the uppercover and the lower cover. The upper cover is connected to the upmostplate of the adjustable device. The upper cover is movably covered onthe lower cover, and the lower cover is connected to the lowest plate ofthe adjustable device. The storage space is for accommodating theadjustable device. wherein, when the upper cover moves upward relativeto the lower cover, the adjustable modules changes from a compressionstate to a stretch state then increase a distance between plates.

By shrink or stretch of the adjustable device, when a distance betweentwo adjacent plates increases, it is easy to pick and place objects. Theoverall volume of the adjustable device is reduced when a distance oftwo adjacent plates decrease, thereby saving the working space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a stereograph of an adjustable device according to the firstembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a plate for accommodating awafer according to the first embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 is a schematic view of a partial enlargement of anadjustable device according to the first embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a stereograph of an adjustable device according to the secondembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a partial enlargement of an adjustabledevice according to the second embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 8 and 9 is a stereograph of a connecting component for sidewallsdevice according to the second embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a stereograph of an adjustable device according to the thirdembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a partial enlargement of an adjustabledevice according to the third embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a breakdown illustration of a firstsidewall and a second sidewall according to the third embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an adjustable module in a compressionstate according to the third embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a stereograph of an adjustable device according to the fourthembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a particle enlargement of an adjustabledevice according to the fourth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a stereograph of an adjustable device according to the fifthembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a particle enlargement of an adjustabledevice according to the fifth embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an adjustable storage box when theadjustable module in a compression state according to the disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of an adjustable storage box when theadjustable module in a stretch state according to the disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a stereograph of an upper cover of an adjustable storage boxof the disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a stereograph of a lower cover of an adjustable storage boxof the disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a lower cover directly connected to thelowest plate of the disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of an upper cover directly connected to theupmost plate of the disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of an adjustable module according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 25 is an exploding view of the adjustable module in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of an adjustable module according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of an adjustable module according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Some words are used to refer to specific elements in the wholespecification and the appended claims in the disclosure. A personskilled in the art should understand that a wafer storage box andtransfer device assembly manufacturer may use different names to referto the same elements. The specification is not intended to distinguishelements that have the same functions but different names. In thefollowing specification and claims, the terms “having”, “including”,etc. are open-ended terms, so they should be interpreted to mean“including but not limited to . . . ”.

It should be noted that in the following embodiments, features in aplurality of embodiments may be replaced, recombined, or mixed tocomplete other embodiments without departing from the spirit of thedisclosure. The features of the embodiments may be used in anycombination without departing from the spirit of the disclosure orconflicting with each other.

The technical content and feature of the invention is illustrated by thefollowing embodiment and figures. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5,an adjustable device 10 according to the first embodiment of thedisclosure includes plates 20, and at least two adjustable module 30which connects two adjacent plates 20. The adjustable modules 30 canstretch out or draw back to change a distance between plates 20. Whenthe adjustable module 30 is in a stretch state, a distance between twoadjacent plates 20 is the largest. When the adjustable module 30 is in acompression state, a distance between two adjacent plates 20 is thesmallest. Each plate 20 can be in regular polygon shape, square, oroctagon et. al. It would be noted that the shape of each plates can bemodified and not be limited to the above-mentioned shapes. Each platecan accommodate an object which can be wafer, dish, or disc et. al.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the plate 20 includes a side opening 22and a bottom opening 24. Robotic arm can place an object such as a wafer100 on the plate 20 or pick the wafer 100 from the plate 20 via thesetwo openings. The bottom opening 24 can be in circle shape or any othershape and can be adjusted according to the manufacturing process needs.In order to place the wafer 100 on the plate more stably, the plate 20may include a step structure 25 which includes a step sidewall 251 and abottom portion of the step structure 253. Each step structure 25 canlimit the horizontal translation of the wafer 100, thereby ensuring thewafer 100 will not slides out or damaged during transferring ormanufacturing process. An angle between the step sidewall 251 and theplate 20 is ranged from 91 to 179 degree. It would be preferred that anangle between the bottom portion of the step structure 253 and the stepsidewall 251 is less than 180 degree.

When a wafer 100 is placed on the plate 20, the step structure 25 canlimit the horizontal translation of the wafer 100. It is easier to pickand place the wafer 100 due to the step sidewall 251. Furthermore, anarea enclosed by an outer line of the step sidewall 251 is approximatelyslightly larger than a projection area of the wafer 100. An outer edgeof the wafer 100 is against to the step sidewall 251 but does notcontact the bottom portion of the step structure 253 to avoid beingdamaged by the step structure 25. Besides, an area enclosed by an innerline of each bottom portion of the step structure 253 can be modifieddepending on a size of a wafer for convince of picking and placing thewafer 100 by a robotic arm.

Two adjustable modules 30 are provided between each two adjacent plates20 respectively arranged on the right and left side of the two adjacentplates 20 (as shown in FIG. 1). According to the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4 and FIG. 5, each adjustable module 30 includes a first sidewall31, a second sidewall 32, a connection component 34 which connects thefirst sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32, and a movement restrictioncomponent 36 which is arranged on one side of the first sidewall 31 andthe second sidewall 32. The first sidewall 31 is pivoted to one of theplates 20 and the second sidewall 32 is pivoted to another adjacentplate 20. When these adjustable modules are in a compression state, thefirst sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 can come close to eachother. Referring to FIG. 5, the movement restriction component 36includes two arc portions 361 which are respectively close to the firstsidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 so that the direction ofstretching and drawing back of the adjustable module is limited. That isto say, the status of the adjustable module 30 changed from a stretchstate to a compression state, the first sidewall 31 and the secondsidewall 32 can present a convex shape like “>” (as shown in FIG. 5). Inanother embodiment, the movement restriction component 36 can also bearranged on the inner side of the connection component 34 or any otherstructural modified can be made, even can be omitted. The structure ofthe connection component 34 is not limited as long as the first sidewall31 and the second sidewall 32 are connected with each other. A way topivot first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 to the plate 20 isnot limited, it could be a hinge pass through plates 20, first sidewalls31 and second sidewalls 32. In another embodiment, it could be the waythat the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 respectively haveplugs that plug into the pivot holes of the plates 20.

When a distance between two adjacent plates 20 increase by the stretchof the adjustable module 30, it is easy to pick and pack an object onthe plate. When a distance between two adjacent plates 20 decrease, anoverall volume of the adjustable device is reduced and to streamline theworking space.

An adjustable device 10A of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6,7, 8, and 9. The structure is substantially the same as the adjustabledevice 10 of the first embodiment except the connection component 34A.The connection component 34A of the second embodiment includes a firstconnection portion 341 formed on the first sidewall 31 and a secondconnection portion 345 formed on the second sidewall 32. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, the first connection portion 341 includes two firstbodies 342, two pivot holes 343 respectively formed on the first body342. An accommodation space 344 is located between two first bodies 342.The second connection portion 345 includes a second body 346accommodated in the accommodating space 344 and two pivot pins 347extending from the second body 346 and plug into the two pivot holes343. The connection component 34A can connect the first sidewall 31 andthe second sidewall 32. Besides, the two first bodies 342 of the firstconnection portion 341 respectively have an arc portions 342 a, thesecond connection portion 345 includes two indentations 345 brespectively arranged on two sides of the second body 346. The two arcportions 342 a could touch against the two indentations 345 b to form amovement restriction component 36A. The movement restriction component36A limits the stretching and drawing back of the adjustable module.That is to say, the first sidewall 31 and the second sidewall 32 canpresent a convex shape like “>” (as shown in FIG. 7). On the other hand,two adjustable modules 30 are arranged on two opposite sides of twoadjacent plates 20. In another embodiment, the first connection portion341 can interchange with the second connection portion 345.

An adjustable device 10B of the third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10,11, 12 and 13. The structure is substantially the same as the adjustabledevice 10 or 10A except adjustable modules 30B. The adjustable modules30B of the third embodiment includes a first sidewall 31B, a secondsidewall 32B which is pivoted to the first sidewall 31B on the sameplate 20, and a connection component 34B that connects both the firstsidewall 31B which is pivoted to another plates 20 and the secondsidewall 32B. The first sidewalls 31B come close to each other when theadjustable modules 30B are in a compression state. The second sidewalls32B come close to each other when the adjustable modules 30B are in acompression state. Referring to FIG. 11, in the embodiment, the lowerportions 31B′ of the first sidewalls 31B are pivoted to the upperportion 32B′ of the second sidewalls 32B on the same plate 20, and thelower portion 32B″ of the second sidewall 32B is pivoted to a upperportion 31B″ of the first sidewall 31B which is on another plate 20.Referring to FIG. 12, the upper portion 31B′ of the first sidewall 31Bincludes a restriction trail 310. The lower portion 32B″ of the secondsidewall 32B includes a restriction pin 320 which can extent into therestriction trail 310 to form a connection component 34B which connectsthe first sidewall 31B and the second sidewall 32B. At the same time,the restriction pin 320 is limited to only move within the restrictiontrail 310 so that the restriction pin 320 and the restriction trail 310form a movement restriction component 36B to limit the stretch ordrawing back of the adjustable module 30B. On the other hand, as shownin FIG. 10, each two adjacent plates 20 includes two pairs of adjustablemodules which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the plates.The first sidewall 31B and the second sidewall 32B are pivoted to theplate 20 in a pivot direction L1 which is parallel to an extensiondirection L0 of the plate 20.

An adjustable device 10C of the fourth embodiment of the disclosure isshown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. The structure is substantially the same asthe adjustable device 10B except the adjustable module 30 on two sidesof the plate 20. The first sidewall 31B and the second sidewall 32B arepivoted to the plate 20 in a pivot direction L2 which is perpendicularto an extension direction L0 of the plate 20.

An adjustable device 10D of the fourth embodiment of the disclosure isshown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. The structure is substantially the same asthe adjustable device 10C except the adjustable module 30 on two sidesof the plate 20. The first sidewall 31B and the second sidewall 32B arepivoted to the plate 20 in a pivot direction L3 which is neitherperpendicular nor parallel to an extension direction L0 of the plate 20.

Referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the disclosure provides an adjustablestorage box 50 for accommodating the above-mentioned adjustable devices10, 10 A, 10 B, 10C and 10 D (collectively referred to as 10). Theadjustable storage box 50 includes an upper cover 60, a lower cover 70disposed under the upper cover 60, and a storage space 80 disposedbetween the upper cover 60 and the lower cover 70. The upper cover 60can moves up and down to cover the lower cover 70. The storage space 80accommodates the adjustable device 10. FIG. 18 shows the state of theadjustable storage box 50 when the adjustable module 30 is in acompressed state, that is, the upper cover 60 is covered on the lowercover 70, FIG. 19 shows the state of the adjustable storage box 50 whenthe adjustable module 30 is in a stretch state when the upper cover 60is separated from the lower cover 70. The shapes of the upper cover 60and lower cover 70 can be modified according on the shape of the plate20. Even the upper cover 60 can be plate-shaped. Besides, there could bea handle on the upper cover 60 of the adjustable storage box 50 formanually or mechanically picking or placing the upper cover 60.

The upper cover 60 can be connected to the upmost plate 20 of theadjustable device 10 and the lower cover 70 can be connected to thelowest plate 20 of the adjustable device 10. Referring to FIG. 20 andFIG. 21, the upper cover 60 includes eight upper position restrictioncomponents 62 which are respectively arranged on the eight inner sidesof the upper cover 60. The lower cover 70 also includes eight lowerposition restriction components 72 which are respectively arranged onthe eight inner sides of the lower cover 70. The upper positionrestriction components 62 can directly or indirectly be connected to theupmost plate 20 of the adjustable device 10, the lower positionrestriction components 72 can directly or indirectly be connected to thelowest plate 20 of the adjustable device 10. According to theembodiment, the upper position restriction components 62 has an upperlimited block 621 which could be directly hooked on the upmost plate 20,the lower position restriction components 72 has a lower limited block721 which could be directly hooked on the lowest plate 20. In anotherembodiment, the amount of these upper position restriction components 62and these lower position restriction components 72 can be more or less.The structure of these upper position restriction components 62 andthese lower position restriction components 72 will not be limited tothe above embodiment as long as these upper position restrictioncomponents 62 and these lower position restriction components 72 canrespectively connected to the upper cover 60 and the lower cover 70.

As shown in FIG. 22, The plates 20 have side ports 21 for the passing ofthe lower limited block 721 of lower position restriction components 72except the upmost plate 20 and lowest plate 20. When the upper cover 60moves upward relative to the lower cover 70, the upper limited block 621of the upper position restriction component 62 of the upper cover 60 candirectly spur the upmost plate 20 so that the status of adjustablemodule 30 of the adjustable device 10 could be changed from acompression state to a stretch state. Therefore, the plates 20 moveupward and increase the distance between each plate 20. The lowerposition restriction components 72 can pass through the side ports 21until the lowest plate 20 is stopped by the lower limited block 721 ofthe lower position restriction component 72 of the lower cover 70. Atthis time, the adjustable module 30 is in a stretch state and thedistance between two adjacent plates 20 reach a maximum so that it iseasy to pick and place an object on the plate 20. When the upper cover60 move downward relative to the upper cover 70, the upper cover 60 isclose to the upmost plate 20, the plates 20 move down and decrease thedistance between each plate 20. When the adjustable module 30 is in acompression state, a distance between two adjacent plates 20 reaches aminimum. At this time, overall volume of the adjustable device 10 isreduced, thereby saving the working space.

The above-mentioned object can be picked or placed manually ormechanically without specific restriction. Besides, the upper cover 60can be moved up and down by holding the handle or directly picking theupper cover 60. The upmost plate 20 and the lowest plate 20 may notcarry objects depending on the situation.

The way that the upmost plate 20 of an adjustable device 10 indirectlyconnected to the upper position restriction component 62 is shown inFIG. 23. That is, the upper position restriction component 62 is pivotedto the first sidewall 31 of the adjustable module 30. When the uppercover 60 moves up and spurs the first sidewall 31, the adjustable module30 stretches. In the same way, the lowest plate 20 of an adjustabledevice 10 is indirectly connected to the lowest position restrictioncomponent 72. That is, the lower position restriction component 72 ispivoted to the second sidewall 32 of the adjustable module 30. Inanother embodiment, the upper position restriction component 62 can bepivoted to the second sidewall 32, the lower position restrictioncomponent 72 can be pivoted to the first sidewall 31.

As shown in FIG. 24 is another embodiment of the disclosure providing anadjustable storage device 10E, which is similar to the adjustable device10B, 10C, and 10D, wherein the adjustable module 90 comprises a firstsidewall 91 and a second sidewall 92, and the adjustable module 90′comprises a first sidewall 91′ and a second sidewall 92′, wherein thefirst sidewall 91 and the second sidewall 92 are fixed to the plate 20,the first sidewall 91′ and the second sidewall 92′ are fixed to theplate 20′. The first sidewall 91 is connected to the second sidewall92′, so that when the adjustable module 90 and the adjustable module 90′are in a compression state, the first sidewall 91 and the first sidewall91′ can come close to each other, and the second sidewall 92 and thesecond sidewall 92′ can come close to each other.

Referred to FIG. 25 which shows the detail of the first sidewall 91, thesecond sidewall 92, and the second sidewall 92′. The first sidewall 91comprises a first sidewall right part 911, a first sidewall left part915, and a connecting part 910 connecting these two parts. The firstsidewall right part 911 comprises a right part upper pivot hole 912, aright part lower pivot hole 914, and a right part restriction trail 913adjacent to the right part lower pivot hole 914; The first sidewall leftpart 915 comprises a left part upper pivot hole 916, a left part lowerpivot hole 918, and a left part restriction trail 917 adjacent to theleft part lower pivot hole 918, wherein the right part restriction trail913 and the left part restriction trail 917 are formed in a hollowdesign. The second sidewall 92 comprises a upper pivot hole 921, a lowerpivot hole 922, and a restriction pin 920 adjacent to the upper pivothole 921; Similarly, a second sidewall 92′ comprises a upper pivot hole921′, a lower pivot hole 922′, and a restriction pin 920′ adjacent tothe upper pivot hole 921′.

Referred to FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, a hinge (not shown) could be used topass through the lower pivot hole 922 of the second sidewall 92, and theleft part upper pivot hole 916 and the right part upper pivot hole 912of the first sidewall 91, so as to be fixed to the plate 20; Similarly,a hinge (not shown) could be used to pass through the upper pivot hole921′ of the second sidewall 92′, and the right part lower pivot hole 914and the left part lower pivot hole 918 of the first sidewall 91, so asto be fixed together; While the restriction pin 920′ could extend intothe right part restriction trail 913 and the left part restriction trail917 and be only movable therein, so that the direction of stretching anddrawing back of the adjustable module 90 is limited.

FIG. 26 shows another adjustable storage device 10F of the disclosure,which is similar to adjustable storage device 10E but with thedifference that, a restriction trail 813 of a first sidewall 81 of theadjustable storage device 10F is in a caved design (referred to FIG. 25,the right part restriction trail 913 and the left part restriction trail917 of the adjustable storage device 10E are arranged in a hollowdesign), this is, the restriction trail 813 could be formed at the outeredges of both the right and left parts of the first sidewall 81 but notlike hollow design as similar to a pivot hole, thus the mechanicaldesign of the adjustable storage device 10F is relatively feasible forassembly.

FIG. 27 shows another adjustable storage device 10G of the disclosure,which is similar to adjustable storage device 10F but with thedifference that, pivot springs 819 could be used as a pivot pin, or beset besides a pivot pin, extending from the right part lower pivot hole814 and the left part lower pivot hole 818 of the first sidewall 81,into the upper pivot hole 821′ of the second sidewall 82′. The pivotsprings 819 provide elastic tension to maintain the adjustable storagedevice 10G in a compression state or a stretch state, when a singledirection force is applied from the upper cover, it will be feasible toinsert or fetch the substrates to or from the adjustable storage device10G.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference tothe foregoing embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art shouldunderstand that modifications may still be made to the technicalsolutions in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent replacements maybe made to part or all of the technical features; And thesemodifications or replacements will not cause the essence ofcorresponding technical solutions to depart from the scope of thetechnical solutions in the embodiments of the disclosure.

1. An adjustable storage device, comprising: plates, storing a pluralityof plates; and at least two adjustable modules, connecting a first plateand adjacent to which a second plate, the at least two adjustablemodules being stretchable to change a distance between the first plateand the second plate, each of the at least two adjustable modulescomprising: a first sidewall, comprising a right part, a left part, anda connection part connecting the right part and the left part, the rightpart comprising a right part upper pivot hole, a right part lower pivothole, and a right part restriction trail adjacent to the right partlower pivot hole, the left part comprising a left part upper pivot hole,a left part lower pivot hole, and a left part restriction trail adjacentto the left part lower pivot hole; two second sidewalls, each comprisingan upper pivot hole, a lower pivot hole, a right restriction pin and aleft restriction pin provided adjacent to the upper pivot hole andlocated on two sides of the second sidewall respectively; and whereinthe lower pivot hole of one of the two second sidewalls, the right partupper pivot hole and the left part upper pivot hole of the firstsidewall being fixed to the first plate by a hinge, the rightrestriction pin and the left restriction pin of the other of the twosecond sidewalls extending into the right restriction trail and the leftrestriction trail of the first sidewall respectively, thus that when theat least two adjustable modules being in a compression state, two secondsidewalls coming close to each other.
 2. The adjustable storage deviceof claim 1, wherein the upper pivot hole of the other of the two secondsidewalls, the right part lower pivot hole and the left part pivot holeof the first sidewall being connected by another hinge.
 3. Theadjustable storage device of claim 1, wherein the right part restrictiontrial, the left part restriction trial respectively forming a hollowdesign with the right part lower pivot hole and the left part pivothole.
 4. The adjustable storage device of claim 1, wherein the rightpart restriction trial and the left part restriction trail being a caveddesign.
 5. The adjustable storage device of claim 1, wherein theconnection part of the first sidewall connecting a center portion of theright part upper pivot hole and the right part lower pivot hole, and acenter portion of the left part upper pivot hole and the left part lowerpivot hole.
 6. The adjustable storage device of claim 1 furthercomprising two springs respectively extending from the right part lowerpivot hole and the left part lower pivot hole of the first sidewall intothe upper pivot hole of the other of the two sidewalls, and providing anelastic tension to maintain the adjustable storage device in acompression state or a stretch state.